Ho Chi Minh City bans teaching knowledge to children before entering first grade

On the evening of April 21, Ms. Luong Thi Hong Diep, Head of the Preschool Education Department (Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training) requested all preschools in the area to ensure that they do not teach the first grade curriculum to 5-year-old children in advance under any form. This regulation has been implemented by the Ministry of Education and Training since 2013 and every year the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training reminds and implements it further.

Ho Chi Minh City bans children from taking extra classes before entering first grade.

"Absolutely do not allow the situation of using the entire set of first grade textbooks to teach 5-year-old children. Preschool children are only allowed to get acquainted with numbers and letters according to the program allowed by the Ministry of Education and Training. Just stick to the content according to the Ministry's regulations to ensure children can enter first grade," said Ms. Diep.

According to the Head of the Department of Preschool Education , many children are currently taught first grade knowledge at preschool age, which means they have to learn the same program twice. She understands the anxiety of parents, but learning in advance is unnecessary, even unscientific and causes many bad consequences.

"Teaching first grade knowledge in advance without the right method will cause boredom for children. Preparing children for primary school must be appropriate to their age-appropriate development," Ms. Diep emphasized.

This person also informed that currently in Ho Chi Minh City, the simulated classroom model organized by kindergartens and primary schools has been actively implemented. This model helps 5-year-old children have real-life experiences before entering the new school level.

The model is being implemented in two ways. One is that preschoolers go directly to the primary school, visit and study with their first graders. The other is that schools coordinate to organize a mock class right at the preschool. This class has no toys, the children have to sit properly and study in order. In some classes, teachers can award points or stars to children who study well so that they can understand what a first grade class will be like.

According to Ms. Diep, the upcoming May will be an important month to prepare for first grade. Classroom models like the above help children prepare mentally before moving to the next level.

Currently, Ho Chi Minh City has about 330,000 children of preschool age. According to the plan of the City People's Committee, children will have summer vacation from the end of May.

Hieu Lam

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